ARTICLES ABOUT GREGG POPOVICH BY DATE - PAGE 2

(Reuters) - The Oklahoma City Thunder, buoyed by the return of Serge Ibaka from injury, recovered from two demoralizing road losses to beat the San Antonio Spurs 106-97 in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals on Sunday. The Spurs lead the best-of-seven series 2-1 but the Thunder at least breathed some new life into their season, which was in danger of ending with a whimper. Power forward Ibaka, who missed the first two games with a left calf strain, scored 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the floor in nearly 30 minutes of action.

(The Sports Xchange) - Guard Tony Parker scored 29 points as the San Antonio Spurs whipped the Portland Trail Blazers 118-103 on Saturday to move to the cusp of the Western Conference finals. Forward Tim Duncan collected 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists for the Spurs, who took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series that continues in Portland on Monday. Five players scored in double figures for San Antonio, which again got great production from a bench that combined for 40 points, compared to six points from Portland's reserves.

SAN ANTONIO -- Two weeks into the NBA playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs finally produced a performance befitting a team that often dismissed opponents with ease while accumulating the league's best record during the regular season. Guard Tony Parker scored 32 points and the Spurs defeated the Dallas Mavericks 119-96 Sunday in Game 7 of the first-round Western Conference playoff series. The Spurs advance to face the fifth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers, who upset the Houston Rockets in a six-game series.

For the first time, the NBA is making public all voting for postseason awards. That transparency has been practiced for years by some outlets, including this one. Here are the four ballots the Tribune received and turned in to the league officeTuesday: Most Valuable Player 1. Kevin Durant, Thunder 2. LeBron James, Heat 3. Joakim Noah, Bulls 4. Blake Griffin, Clippers 5. Tony Parker, Spurs Comment: This isn't an...

The Houston Rockets wrap up what has been a phenomenal home performance when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. Houston, which entered Sunday a game up on Portland in the battle for the fourth seed and homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs, is 32-8 at home and can tie the 2008-09 edition for the most wins at the Toyota Center with a victory in the finale. The Rockets rallied for a 111-104 triumph over New Orleans on Saturday to snap a two-game skid and remain ahead of the Trail Blazers.

Timberwolves win game rescheduled from December MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Timberwolves waited four months for Tuesday's 110-91 victory over San Antonio. "Yeah," T-wolves coach Rick Adelman said, "it was worth the wait. " A victory four months ago on that December night in Mexico City would have meant more back then for either a Wolves team that now has just five games left before another early summer vacation or a Spurs team that now has firm grasp on the Western Conference's lead.

Spurs tie franchise mark with 17th straight win SAN ANTONIO -- San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said Friday that losing a basketball game might not be the worst thing for his team as the NBA playoffs approach. He theorized that it might be the best way to get players to work on any deficiencies they might have developed while stockpiling some easy victories. Popovich will have to wait for an opportunity to grab his players' attention after the Spurs defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 96-80 on Saturday night for their 17th straight victory.

Spurs stretch streak to 16, beat Nuggets by 31 DENVER -- The Denver Nuggets put a scare in the San Antonio Spurs with a strong fourth quarter two days ago. The Spurs took note, and in Friday's rematch they never let up. Guard Marco Belinelli scored 27 points, forward Tim Duncan had 20 and San Antonio extended its winning streak to 16 with a 133-102 victory over the Nuggets on Friday night. The Spurs' streak is the second longest in franchise history during the regular season.